Method for processing flexible metallic conduit

ABSTRACT

A machine and method for mechanically and simultaneously sizing and cutting multiple strands of flexible metallic conduit to desired lengths, and for facilitating the application of a fitting to either end of the respective resulting lengths, in which the conduit is simultaneously drawn, by a roller drive, from a number of rolls of same in parallel strands and is fed past a cutting station the conduit length desired, after which feeding of the conduit strands ceases and the conduit lengths are simultaneously severed from the row of strands by sawing. The machine includes a device for mechanically rotating the individual end fittings for the conduit length ends, whereby the machine operator can individually manipulate the individual conduit length ends to apply same to the device to permit the end fitting for same to be mechanically rotated into its fully seated position in the conduit end, and an attachment that permits the conduit wiring to be mechanically fed into same and cut off at the right length to complete the conduit assembly.

[ July 17, 1973 3,289,290 12/1966Sandor..............................29/240X 3,393,267

[ METHOD FOR PROCESSING FLEXIBLE METALLIC CONDUIT [75] Inventor: WilliamJ. Fisher, Lisle, 111. Primary Examiner charlie T. Moon Assignee:Maynard Brauerman, Chicago, Ill. Attorney-Mann, Brow", Mcwmiams &Bfadway a part interest Dec. 27, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT A machine and methodfor mechanically and simulta- [22] Filed:

PP NOJ 212,808 neously sizing and cutting multiple strands of flexiblemetallic conduit to desired lengths, and for facilitating theapplication of a fitting to either end of the respec- Related US.Application Data [62] Division of Scr. No. 1,735, Jan. 9, 1970, Pat. No.

tive resulting lengths, in which the conduit is simultaneously drawn, bya roller drive, from a number of rolls of same in parallel strands andis fed past a cutting station the conduit length desired, after whichfeeding of the conduit strands ceases and the conduit lengths aresimultaneously severed from the row of strands by sawing. The machineincludes a device for mechanically rotating the individual end fittingsfor the conduit mwmm 03W4111 yl oo 4 1 P 8236E9 4 R B0 21 5 52 "44 l. I92 8.1. 5 a8 ""1 w. 2 m a "U MH n "h 7 m3 H 32 n e U 3 1. a C l dW S LdZU mF 4 N 5 55 .1 ll

length ends, whereby the machine operator can indi- References Citedvidually manipulate the individual conduit length ends to apply same tothe device to permit the end fitting for UNITED STATES PATENTS same tobe mechanically rotated into its fully seated po- 12/1896 sition in theconduit end, and an attachment that per- 31 mits the conduit wiring tobe mechanically fed into same and cut off at the right length tocomplete the 4 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures Frees Erickson...

Young............. Budnick et al... Raydt et al. 3/1966 White METHOD FORPROCESSING FLEXIBLE METALLIC CONDUIT This application is a division ofmy application Ser. No. 1,735, filed Jan. 9, 1970, now US. Pat. No.3,672,015, granted June 27, 1972.

This invention relates to a methodand apparatus for processing flexiblemetallic conduit, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus formechanizing the procedures for cutting such conduit into desiredlengthson a multiple strand basis, applying the end fittings to the respectiveconduit length ends, and, where desired, applying the wiring to the thusformed conduit lengths.

Heretofore the process of cutting flexible metallic conduiting intodesired lengths, applying the end fittings thereto, and locating thenecessary wiring within same, has been essentially a hand laboroperation, with the possible exception of the actual cutting operation.In accordance with standard practices, the worker assigned to this taskworks full time on the project, with the worker working through oneconduit roll at a time, measuring the conduit length desired and thensawing the conduit length off the conduit strand. Frequently the cuttingoperation is performed using a large diameter band saw designed for thispurpose, but sometimes the worker will use a hack saw for this purpose.The ends of each conduit length so formed will then have applied theretoby hand the necessary end fitting, the worker turning this into place byusing a pair of pliers or the like to grasp the fitting. In performingthe cutting operation, the worker rolls the conduit off a supply rolland forms one conduit at a time, while the end fitting applicationoperation involves gripping and releasing the fitting with the hand toola number of times and manipulating the gripping tool to rotate thefitting into place in step by step manner.

Manifestly, this is a time consuming, tiring, procedure that is undulyexpensive in view of todays high cost of labor.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a method andapparatus for cutting the conduit into lengths and applying the fittingsthereto that mechanizes many of the steps involved and permits a numberof rolls of conduit to be processed simultaneously, with only one workerbeing required to perform the functions involved.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatusthat substantially automatically forms the conduit lengths desired inmultiple quantities at a time and provides for mechanical rotation ofthe individual fittings to facilitate application of same to the conduitends.

Still another principal object of the invention is to provide adevicefor applying end fittings tothe conduit that provides for mechanicalrotation of the fitting into place and ready release of the end fittingso that the operation can be rapidly and easily repeated.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a conduit processingmachine that will handle both sheathed and unsheathed flexible metallicconduit with equal facility, that will permit ready application, to theprocessed conduit, of the wiring to be housed in same, and that providesa machine of the type indicated which is economical of manufacture,convenient to set up and use, and long lived in operation.

In accordance with this invention, conduit may be drawn from as many asfour rolls simultaneously, with the conduit strands being fed throughthe machine to the desired length, after which the feeding actionautomatically stops and the conduit strand portions in the machine areautomatically clamped in position for application thereto of aretractable band saw type cutting blade which simultaneously cuts offall four lengths of the conduit, after which the feeding, stopping,clamping, and cutting steps are repeated as long as conduit remains tobe cut to the length desired.

The machine includes an end fitting applying device in which each endfitting is mechanically rotated through a slip coupling arrangement andwhen the end of the conduit is pressed by hand against the threaded endof the fitting, the fitting threads itself into fully seated relationwith the conduit end, the device permitting ready removal of the thusapplied fitting and conduit end, and application of the next fittingthereto for subsequent fitting application in like manner. The machineincludes an attachment that also permits ready application of wiring tothe conduit lengths so processed.

Still other objects, uses and advantages will be obvious or becomeapparent from a consideration of the following detailed description andthe application drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate likeparts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a flexible metallic conduitprocessing machine arranged in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the top plate of the basic machine, with theconduiting omitted and all but the essential portions of the band sawapparatus omitted for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a switch attachment device arranged forapplication to the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2 to control the operation ofthe wire applying functions of same;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the machine as shown in FIG. 2with the parts behind the front end of the machine being omitted toavoid duplicity;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view substantially along line5-5 of FIGS. 4 and 10 illustrating the principal components located onthe lower plate of the machine;

FIG. 5A is a fragmental view taken substantially along line 5A-5A ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken substantially alongline 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows in plan the broken away portion of the wire feed mechanismthat is omitted from the left hand end of same as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentalview substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 5,illustrating the arrangement of the'end fitting applying mechanism ofthe machine of FIGS. 1

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the end fitting receivingportion of the device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view through the machine takensubstantially along line 10-10 of FIG. 2, showing the major mechanicallinkages involved in the interior of the machine;

FIG. 11 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken substantially alongline 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmental cross-sectional view taken substantially alongline 12-l2 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic fragmental view taken substantially along line13-13 of FIG. 2, illustrating the roller feed mechanism of the machine;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 14-14 of FIG.5 and including the subject matter of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a view of the wire feeding mechanism of a machine shown inoperation;

FIG. 16 is a wiring diagram of the machine of this invention in largelydiagrammatic form; and

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the operating nature of the switchattachment device of FIG. 3 for controlling wire feed and cut off.

However, it is to be understood that the specific drawing illustrationsprovided are supplied primarily to comply with the requirements of thePatent Code, and that the invention may have other specific embodimentsthat will be obvious to those skilled in the art and that are intendedto be covered by the appended claims.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Reference numeral of FIG. 1 generally indicates oneembodiment of my invention for processing conventional flexible metallicconduit to form from same a plurality of conduit lengths having endfittings applied thereto, pursuant to which, a plurality of conduitstrands l2, 14, 16 and 18 are drawn from the respective conduit rolls20, 22, 24 and 26 by a roller drive 27 and are fed through the machinecutting station 28 until they extend beyond the cutting station adistance equivalent to the desired length of conduiting required,whereupon the strands are clamped against movement at the cuttingstation 28 by a clamp device 30 (see FIG. 10), whereupon a band saw typecutting mechanism 32 operates to bring its band saw blade 34 intosimultaneous engagement with the conduit strands to cut off therespective conduit lengths 36, 38, 40 and 42.

The machine 10 also includes power actuated fitting applying device 44(see FIGS. 1, 5 and 8), whereby conduit end fittings of the familiartype indicated at 46 in FIG. 8 are seated in the usual manner at the endportion 48 of, for instance, conduit length 38, by slipping the fitting46 as a whole over a rotating shaft 50, then slipping the end 48 of theconduit length 38 on the shaft 50 behind the fitting 46 and using theconduit 38 to press the fitting against a rotating sleeve 52 coupled tothe shaft 50 by a slip coupling device 54, whereby the fitting 46 isclutched to the sleeve 52 at its flared end 56 and is rotated in theproper direction to thread it into the conduit end 48, the slip coupling54 slipping when the fitting 46 is properly in place.

If the conduit lengths 36, 38, 40 and 42 are of sufficient length, theapplication of the fittings 46 to their leading ends may be accomplishedby the operator of machine 10 while the conduit lengths 36, 38, 40 and42 are being fed through the machine to their proper lengths.

After the conduit length cutting and end fitting application has beencompleted, the machine 10 may be employed to apply the necessaryelectric wires to the resulting conduit lengths, by removing the device44 and substituting for same a wire feeder wheel or roller 60 (see FIG.with a pressure roller 62 being released for spring biasing engagementagainst the roller 60. The

wiring 64, will be in the number of strands desired for the particularconduiting lengths in question, and the strands thereof are drawn fromseparate coils of wire to one side of the machine and fed through thewire feed device 66 that is defined by the rollers 60 and 62 into thewire guide tube device 68 over which the conduit length being equippedwith the wiring, for instance the conduit length 38, has been positionedfor its full length. The machine 10 is operated to feed the wiringthrough the guide tube device 68, and thus through the conduit lengthbeing equipped, with sufficient wiring going through the far end so thata loop may be tied in same. Feeding motion of the wiring is then stoppedand cutter mechanism 70 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is then operated to shearoff the wiring leaving a sufficient amount so that when the conduitlength 38 is withdrawn from the device 68, the now cut off ends of thewiring may also be tied in a loop.

The thus completed and wired conduit length is then put aside andsubsequent conduit lengths processed in like manner.

The operating components of the machine 10 are electrically operated byemploying the circuiting arrangement shown in FIG. 16.

As referred to earlier, the cutting of the conduit strands into theirdesired lengths and the equipping of the ends of same with fitting 46has heretofore been essentially a hand labor operation, with 200 to 250end fitting equipped conduit lengths being about the maximum to beexpected from a days work (with the conduit lengths so provided yet tobe equipped with their necessary wiring).

My method and apparatus has shown that an output of l,400 to 1,500similarly equipped conduit lengths a day is routinely available and amaximum of some 1,960 conduit lengths per 8 hour day is possible.

It will thus be seen that my method and machine provides a greatlyimproved output and a significant reduction in labor cost per days work.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The machine 10 generally comprises a frame whichsupports the various operating mechanisms of the machine. Frame 80 maybe of any suitable type and that shown is only diagrammaticallyillustrated as including a top plate 82 and a bottom plate 84 suitablyjoined together, as by employing angle members 86 at the comers that aremade fast to the respective plates 82 and 84 as by welding and otherreinforcement as may seem necessary or desirable.

At the front side 88 of the machine (see FIG. 4) horizontal brace bars90 and 92 are fixed between the angle members 86 at that side of themachine, as is a vertical brace bar- 94. The other sides of the machineframe may be similarly reinforced, though it is to be understood thatthe specifics of the frame 80 are largely a matter of choice and design,the intention being to provide a suitable way to mount the variousoperating mechanisms of the machine and the circuiting therefor.

The conduit rolls 20, 22, 24 and 26 are rested on the respective discs100, 102, 104 and 106 that are preferably mounted in any suitable mannerto rotate about their axial centers as the respective conduit strandsI2, 14, 16 and 18 are drawn off the respective rolls. Discs 100, 102,104, and 106 may be arranged in accordance with any of the well-knownlazy susan" type mounting arrangements.

Similarly, the wire rolls from which the wiring 64 is drawn in applyingthe wiring lengths to the conduit lengths may be similarly handled.

It may be mentioned that the conduit strands should be fed throughmachine in a manner that the conduiting convolutions will be presentedto the cutting blade in the manner indicated in FIG. 1', assuming thatthe band blade 24 has the direction of movement shown by the arrows ofFIG. 1. This avoids a tendency of the band blade to partially unwind theconduiting edge it is forming, as is well known in the art.

The frame may include suitable support rollers indicated at and 112.Roller 110 is suitably journaled between spaced angle brackets 116 and117 suitably fixed to the frame 80 as by bolts 118, while the roller 112is suitably journaled between spaced angle brackets 120 and 122 suitablyfixed to the frame 80 as by bolts 123.

Mounted on the lower plate 84 is the main drive motor driving a chaindrive 132 through a suitable gear reducer 134. Chain drive 132, whichcomprises a suitable drive chain 133 trained over suitable sprockets 135drives gear reducer 136 which rotates shaft 138 that mounts cam assembly140 that controls the functioning of a roller drive 27, the clamp device30, and the positioning of the band saw device 32.

Also mounted on the bottom plate 84 is the roller drive motor 142driving through suitable speed reducer 144 to operate drive chain 146that actuates the roller drive 27. Bottom plate 84 also mounts motor 148for operating the fitting applying device 44. Motor 148 drives asuitable chuck device 150 through a suitable speed reducer 152, chuckdevice releasably mounting the shaft 50.

The top plate 82 of frame 80 provides the space for the cutting station28 to which the conduit strands are fed by the roller drive 27. Plate 82also supports the band blade type saw mechanism 32, and wiring boxes and162, the electrical connections with which are indicated in FIG. 16.Adapted to be associated with the wiring box 162 is thecontrol switchdevice 164 that is indicated in FIG. 3 that is used to operate themachine 10 when completed conduit lengths are to be supplied with theirwiring.

THE ROLLER DRIVE Referring to FIGS. 2, 10 and 13, the roller drive 27generally comprises a driven roller and an idler pressure roller 172,with the driven roller 170 being disposed to support the conduit strandssomewhat above the top surface of the frame top plate 82, and thepressure roller 172 being mounted to be releasably biased againstconduit strands being fed by the roller drive.

The drive roller 170 is suitably journaled between a pair of uprightsupports 174 and 176 in the form of the respective channel members 178and 1 80 that extend through opening 181 in top plate 82 and aresuitably fixed at their lower ends to horizontally disposed anglemembers 182 and 184 that are suitably fixed in place as part of theframe 80. Drive chain 146 that is powered by the motor 142 through gearreducer 144 engages suitable sprocket 186 that is keyed to the shaft 188of roller 70.

Roller 172 is suitably journaled between the ends 190 and 192 of asuitable cross head 194 that has its ends received within the respectivechannel members 178 and 180, with the cross head ends 190 and 192engaging suitable compression springs 194 and 196 supported on therespective mounting plates 198 and 200 suitably fixed to the respectivesupports 174 and 176. Cross head 194 may be moved toward and away fromdrive roller 170 to similarly position the pressure roller 172 withrespect to same by rotating screw member 202 that threadedly engages anut member 204 fixed to a cross bar'206 fixed in place to the respectivesupports 174 and 176 by the respective bolts 208 and 210. Screw memberhas its end portion 212 bearing against cross head abutment 214, in theform shown, to resist the action of springs 194 and 196.

Roller drive supports 174 and 176 carry opposed conduit guides 213, eachof which comprises a bar element 215 fixed in place at the level of theconduit strands, as by welding, and threadedly mounting screw member 217equipped with a spherically contoured guide element 219. Guides 213 areheld in adjusted position by nuts 221 and should be spaced apartsufficiently to allow free movement of the conduit strands by same and aslight spacing between strands 14 and 16.

The operation of roller drive 27 is controlled by control device 220(see FIG. 10) comprising a whisker switch 222 having a sensing arm 224cooperating with the cam surface 226 of cam section 228 of the camdevice 140. Switch 222 is fixed on an angled swing arm 230 having an end232 of same suitably fixed to a pin 236 journaled between spacedmounting plates 238 and 240 that are in turn fixed to the frame lowerplate 84in any suitable manner, as by welding. The arm 232 extendsacross to the other side of the machine, and at its end 244 has fixedthereto an angle member 246 (see FIG. 11) that is slotted as at 248 toreceive the stem 250 of headed pin 252 that is in turn fixed to a hexshaped threaded member 254 which threadedly receives an adjustingsupport rod 256 that extends upwardly through opening 258 in the frameupper plate 82 for connection to operating handle 260. Handle 260 may beknurled for convenience of operation, and rests on annular abutment 262that is suitably affixed to the plate 82 about opening 280 toappropriately space the handle 260 above the plate 82. The threaded rod256 is provided with a pair of lock nuts 264 supporting a spring plate266 on which is seated a compression spring 268 that in turn bearsagainst a spring plate 270 seated against the top plate 82, whereby thethreaded rod 256 is biased downwardly of plate 82. Threaded rod 256 alsocarries one or more lock nuts 272 at its lower end to prevent completewithdrawal of same from threaded member 254.

Threaded adjusting rod 256 has no threaded connection with either plate82 or abutment 262, and upon being turned about its longitudinal axischanges the position of threaded member 254 relative to the frame 80 andthus the positioning of whisker element 224 of switch 222 relative tocam surface 226. An indicating bar 274, provided with measuring indiciaon one or more of its surfaces, as indicated at 276 in FIG. 10, has itslower end 278 received over pin 252, and its upper end 280 extendingthrough suitable openings 282 formed in the top plate of the frame 80for observation by the operator of the machine, with the indicia 276being oriented so that the top surface of the plate 82 serves as thezero datum for the indicia, with the indicia being calibrated relativeto whisker element 224 and cam surface 226 to enable reading directly onthe member 274 on the conduiting length to be moved past the cuttingstation 28 for severing in such lengths.

It will thus be observed that the machine 10 can be set to cut offconduit lengths of any desired lengthwise dimension, within the operablelimits of the machine, by rotating the handle 260 to thread the rod 256relative to the member 254 to move the indicia line of the indicator bar274 that is equivalent to the conduit length desired into alignment withthe top surface of plate 82. As will be clear from the description ofthe wiring diagram of FIG. 16 that follows, main drive motor 130continuously rotates the shaft 138 in the direction indicated by thearrow 286 of FIG. 10, and when the whisker member 224 is engaged by camsurface 226, the roller drive is actuated and continues drawing theconduit strands from the rolls indicated in FIG. 1 until the cam surface226 moves past the whisker arm 224, whereupon the roller drive ceases.

THE CUTTING STATION AND SAW MECHANISM The cutting station 28 in the formshown comprises a base plate 290 suitably fixed, as by welding, to thetop plate 82 of frame 80, on top of which are adjustably mounted a pairof opposing conduit guide members 292 and 294.

The guide member 292 comprises a base plate 296 slotted as at 298 toreceive clamping bolt 300 that clamps the member 292 in the desiredposition of adjustment. Fixed to the base plate 296, as by welding at302, is a centering plate 304 that in turn has fixed thereto as bywelding a hold down tab 306.

Guide member 294 is similarly arranged, it comprising a base plate 307formed with slot 308 that receives clamp bolt 310, guide plate 312 beingfixed to base plate 307 as by welding at 314, with the guide plate 312having fixed thereto hold down tab 316 that opposes the hold down tab306.

It will thus be seen that by loosening clamp bolts 300 and 310, theguide members 292 and 294 can be adjusted laterally of the path ofmovement 320 along which the conduit strands pass to accommodatedifferent diameter conduiting. Guide members 292 and 294 should beadjusted with the four strands of conduiting in place and tightened intooperating position with the guide plates 304 and 312 engaging the outerstrands (for instance, the strands l2 and 16 in the showing of FIG. 1).

The band saw cutting mechanism 32 may take the form of band saw machine330 of any suitable make, with the machine 330 being' shown in diagramform only. Machine 330 is suitably fixed to swing arm 332 that issuitably journaled in a conventional bearing unit 334 suitably securedto the frame top plate 82. The band saw machine 330 comprises a suitablemechanism including band pulleys 336 and 338 that have band saw blade334 trained over same to define the band saw blade runs 340 and 342; theband saw machine 330, is fixed to the swing arm 332 so that theoperating plane of the band saw will be at a sufficient angle to thehorizontal that band saw run 340 may cut through the conduit strandscompletely without the band saw 342 engaging the resulting conduitlengths (an angle on the order of 35 to 45 degrees is appropriate). Theband saw mechanism is also provided with a pair of guides 344 and 346that dispose the band saw blade run 340 perpendicular to the conduitingbeing cut, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Swing arm 332 that supports the band saw mechanism 330 has fixed theretoa support arm 350 having pivotally mounted thereon, as by pin 352, asocket structure 354 which receives a support rod 356 (see FIG. 10)passing through opening 357 in plate 82 and having a threaded endportion 358 that is threadedly received through a nut 360 that is fixedto a sleeve 362 which is in turn fixed to a support arm 364 thatjournals a cam follower 366 riding on cam surface 368 of cam element 370of cam device 140. Cam element 370 is keyed to shaft 138 for rotationtherewith.

A swing arm 372 pivotally connected to support arm 364 by pin 374 ispivotally connected by a pin 376 to a mounting bar 378 that is in turnsuitably affixed to the frame 80, as by being welded to the angle member184 which has been previously referred to.

The support arm 350 also has fixed thereto a projecting arm 380 fromwhich depends rod element 382 that engages an upwardly biased pushbutton 384 of switch 386 that is one of the switches shown in the wiringdiagram of FIG. 16 for controlling the operation of band saw mechanism330.

The arm 350, rod 356, arm 372, cam element 370 and cam follower 366 forma control device 385 for the cutting mechanism, with the configurationof the cam surface 368 being made such that the swing arm 332 is held ina raised position to dispose the band saw blade run 340 well above theconduiting during most of the time that the conduiting strands are beingfed through machine 10 by the roller drive 27. At an appropriate pointin the operating cycle of the machine, cam surface 368 effects alowering of the band saw mechanism downwardly to present the band sawcutting run 340 into cutting engagement with the conduit strands, theband saw drive being suitably actuated by the switch control arrangementindicated in FIG. 16 prior to engagement of the band saw blade run 340with the conduiting.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the band saw blade run 340 is disposed closelyadjacent the shoulder 390 that is defined by the edge 392 of the cuttingstation base plate 290 so that the cutting of the conduit strands occursin substantial alignment with the shoulder 390 but sufficientlydownstream of the path of movement of the strands so that when thecutting action is completed, the band saw run 340 moves clear of thebase plate 290.

The configuration of cam surface 368 is such that after the cuttingoperation is completed, the rod element 382 carried by the swing arm 332engages switch button 384 to shut off the band saw mechanism 330. Camelement 370 continues to rotate to then lift the band saw mechanism toits elevated inoperative position, whereupon the cycle repeats as longas the machine runs.

THE CLAMP DEVICE The conduit clamping device that functions to clamp theconduiting against movement during operation of the cutting mechanism 32comprises a vertically disposed wedge member 400 defining a head 402formed with a bulbous protuberance 404 on the downstream side of samehaving a forward face 406 that is substan tially aligned with theshoulder 390, and defining downwardly facing wedge surfaces 408 and 410(see FIG.

10). The other end of the head 402 projects towards the roller drivedevice 27 as at 412.

The head 402 also is formed to define wedge surfaces 414 and 416 at thesides of the head, but facing away from the shoulder 390.

The wedge member 400 is raised and lowered by operation of a controldevice 418 including cam member 420 that forms a part of cam device 140,with the control device comprising a rod member 422 to which wedgemember 400 is secured, which in turn is connected to a swing lever 424carrying cam follower 426 riding on the cam surface 428 of thecam-member 420 for this purpose. Cam section 228 controlling the rollerdrive is fixed to cam member 420 in the illustrated embodiment.

In the specific form shown, the wedge member 400 is connected to rodmember 422 by suitable nut and bolt device 430, and the other end of therod member 422 carries a spring seat 432 held in place by suitable nut434.

Spring seat 432 supports a suitable compression spring 434 which bearsagainst arm 436 of link 438 that is pivotally connected to swing arm 424by pin 440.

Swing arm 424 is received over pin 236 for pivotal movement at thatpoint.

Tension spring 442 extending between the swing arm 424 and swing arm 372biases the cam roller 426 against the cam surface 428. Cam follower 426in following cam surface 428 effects a raising and lowering of the wedgemember 400, the wedge arm 400 being raised to its extended position topermit free passage of the conduit strands through the cutting stationduring operation of the roller drive 27, it being moved to a loweredclamping position relative to the conduiting when the roller driveceases movement in preparation for operation of the cutting mechanism32, and after the cutting is completed, it returns to its extendedposition.

As indicated in FIG. 1, wedge member 400 is disposed between the middletwo conduit strands 14 and 16 and thus conduit strands 12 and 14, and 16and 18, pass in pairs on either side of same. When wedge member 400 ismoved to its lower position through the operation of swing arm 424 andpull rod 422, wedge surfaces 408, 410, 414 and 416 wedge the conduitstrands on either side of same against the respective guide members 304and 312 to firmly clamp the conduit strands against movement in the areaof the shoulders 390. This clamping action is held during operation ofthe cutting mechanism 32, after which it is released so that onresumption of the operation of roller drive 27, forward feeding of theconduit strands can proceed.

THE FITTING APPLYING DEVICE Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the fittingapplying device comprises a rod 50 on which sleeve 52 is mounted througha coupling device 54. Coupling device 54 comprises a coupling member 450keyed to rod 50 by suitable pin 452 and formed with an angled drive orcoupling surface 454 adapted to cooperate with a similar drive orcoupling surface 456 of coupling member 458 which is journaled on rod50. Coupling member 458 is press fitting within sleeve 52 and mayinclude bronze lining 460 to serve as a bearing for the coupling member458. Cross pin 462 maintains the sleeve 52 against dislodgement from therod 50.

The sleeve 52 at its forward end 56 is flared as at 466 to be receivedover the fitting 46, including its lock nut 47, and the flared portionis indented as at 468 to have interfitting engagement with the fitting46, when the fitting is applied to the shaft 50 in the manner suggestedin FIG. 8.

The fitting 46 that is specifically illustrated is exemplary of standardend fittings for unsheathed flexible metallic conduit and comprises asleeve 470 having a reduced diameter portion 472 that is threaded as at473 for threaded insertion inside the conduiting end portion 48, thecollar portion 474 that is conventionally hexshaped in configuration forapplication thereto of a wrench or a pair of pliers, and a threaded endportion 476 that is to be inserted inside an outlet box or the like toreceive the holding nut 47 that secures the end of the conduiting to theoutlet box. As indicated in FIG. 8, the fitting 46 is applied to the rod50 with the threaded end portion 476, having the lock nut 47 appliedthereto, facing the flared end portion 466 of sleeve 52.

This application of the individual fittings 46 may be done while theconduiting lengths 36, 38, 42 and 40 are being formed, the operator forthis purpose turning on motor 148 and standing at the front side 88 ofthe machine adjacent the device 44. One of the fittings 46 having thusbeen applied to the rod member 50, an end 48 of one of the conduitlengths, for instance length 36, may be grasped by the operator andslipped on rod 50 after the fitting 46, with the operator then urgingthe conduit end 48 against the fitting to press same into the flared end466 of sleeve 52. This clutches the fitting to the sleeve, because ofthe interfitting nature of the sleeve indentations 468, and bringssurfaces 454 and 456 of coupling members 450 and 458 into drivetransmitting relation, fitting 46 thus rotating relative to the conduitend portion 48 (which is being held by the operator), and thus thefitting sleeve portion 472 threads firmly into the conduit end portionuntil the shoulder 474 seats against the terminal end of the conduit.

At this point, sufficient resistance to rotating action of the fitting46 arises so that the coupling surface 456 slips with respect to thecoupling surface 454 and sleeve member 52 is urged outwardly. This warnsthe operator, if necessary, that the application of the fitting to theconduiting is completed, and also disengages the sleeve 52 from rotationwith rod 50, although the operator can ordinarily follow the fittingthreading process sufficiently by eye to withdraw the fitting fromsleeve 52 at the right time. The conduit end 48 with the fitting appliedthereto is then removed for application of another fitting to its otherend in like manner, and the remainder of the conduit lengths needing endfittings are processed in like manner.

ARRANGEMENT FOR INSERTING WIRE INTO CONDUIT LENGTHS After the conduitlengths that have been formed by operation of machine 10, including theapplication thereto of the fittings 46, the machine 10 may be employedto insert the wiring within the conduiting lengths that can be prewiredbefore use. This brings into play the wire feed device 66 in associationwith the guide tube 68, with the wire cutting mechanism 70 beingemployed to cut the wire when the particular conduit length has beenprocessed in accordance with this invention.

The frame 80 at its front side has fixed thereto a support bar 480 thatis disposed just below the level of the axis of chuck 150 and hasarcuate portion 482 that is concentric with the axis of rotation of thechuck 150. Support bar 480 terminates in an upstanding end 484 formedwith an opening 486 that is elongated in the horizontal plane andpositioned to have the tangency relationship with wire feed wheel 60,when the latter is applied to the chuck 150, and the pressure roller 62,when the latter is in its operating position of FIG. 15, that is shownin FIG. 15.

Fixed as by welding to the bar 480 is a plate element 488 that is formedwith opening 490 having the tangency positioning indicated relative tothe wire feed wheel 60 and pressure roller 62 that is indicated in FIG.15. Opening 490 is round in configuration and has a tapered lead inportion indicated at 492.

Support bar 480 has fixed thereto as by welding a mounting sleeve 494which slidably receives the wire guide device 68, the latter in the formshown comprising an elongate tubular member 496 having its wire intakeend 498 threadedly received in sleeve 500 together with nose tube 502having a tapered bore opening 504 which, in the operating position ofthe guide tube assembly 68, is axially aligned with the openings 486 and490 to receive from same the wires impelled by operation of the wirefeed device 66. THe outer diameter of sleeve 500 substantiallycomplements the internal diameter of sleeve 494 whereby sleeve 494properly aligns the guide tube with wire feed openings 486 and 490.

- The guide tube496 has a length to receive entirely over same theconduit length that is to be processed such that the end 506 of the tubewill be projecting outwardly of the conduit length involved.

Associated with the guide tube 496 is a trough 508 that'is seated onsupport plate 480 underneath the guide tube with its end 511 abuttingthe fixed sleeve 494 and its locating stud 510 received in a locatingopening 512 formed in the bar 480. The other end 514 of the trough 508is flared as at 516 to make for easy application of the conduit lengthto the tube 496.

At is contemplated that guide tube assemblies 68, including the guidetube 496 and trough 508 will be available in standard sizes toaccommodate specified length variations of conduit lengths to be treatedby machine 10. For instance, the machine will have available for use inconnection with it a guide tube assembly 68 including elements 496 and508 proportioned to handle conduit lengths of up to five feet, withguide tube assemblies 68 of greater lengths being available forprocessing conduit lengths of longer dimension as may seem desirable.

Wire feed roller 60 in the form shown is a spur gear element 520 fixedto shaft 522 that is mounted in chuck 150 in place of the fittingapplying device 44.

Pressure roller 62 in the form illustrated comprises a roller member 524journaled by suitable pin 526 on swing arm 528 that is plvotallyconnected to the frame upright member 94 by suitable pin 530. Suitabletension spring 532 connected between the end 534 of the swing arm 528and the upper portion of the upright 94 biases the swing arm to pressthe roller member 524 against the wire feed roller 520 on release oflocking pawl 536 from notch 538 of arm 528. Pawl 536 is pivotallyconnected to upright 94 by suitable pin 540.

The wire severing device comprises a cutter bar 550 (see FIGS. 5 and 6)that is pivotally connected at one of its ends 552 to crank pin 554 ofone of the far sprocket 135 driven by the drive chain 133.

The cutter bar 550 at its forward end 558 is formed with an angledcutting surface 560 positioned to slide in scissors like fashion acrossthe opening 490 of plate element 488. As indicated in FIG. 5, a bolt 562passing through slot 564 of bar 550 and held in place by suitable nut566 on the other side of the plate 488 provides appropriate guidingaction for the oscillating movements of bar 550, suitable washers beingemployed where indicated at 568 and 570, respectively.

As previously indicated, machine 10 in the form illustrated iscontrolled for wire insertion purposes by control switch device 164,which is in the form of a switch 580 (see FIG. 17) mounted in a switchbox 582 and operated by switch handle 584 (see FIG. 3), with the wiringinvolved extending from box 582 to plug 586 (see FIG. 3) that isreceived in the socket 588 of box 162. AS will be subsequently madeclear, switch 580 at one position turns on motor 148 for operation ofthe wire feed device, and in the other position closes the circuit foroperation of the main drive motor to operate the cutting mechanismprovided by the cutter bar 550 which makes one pass across opening 490,whereupon the motor 148 is shut off by appropriate switch 590 (see FIGS.5 and 5A), which includes a switch arm 592 provided with a cam followerroller 594 riding on cam surface 596 of cam member 598 that is fixed tothe sprocket 135. On rotation of sprocket 135, contacts 600 and 602 ofswitch 590 are closed for the time required for cutter bar 550 tocomplete a severing action on wires extending through hole 490.

Switch 590 is suitably mounted from lower plate 84 on suitable support604 affixed thereto in any suitable manner.

The wire feed, guide and cut off devices of this invention are arrangedto handle at one time the maximum number of wires normally applied toconduiting in practice. Where different groups of conduiting lengths areto have different numbers of wires inserted in same, the wire insertionprocess will need to be delayed long enough to appropriately arrange thewire feed into machine 10.

In operation the wire feed, guide and cut off devices I prefer that thecutting mechanism be swung to an upright out of the way position inwhich it may be held by a suitable lug (not shown) on arm 332 thatengages top plate 82 when arm 332 is disposed over center of its pivotalaxis and holds it there until arm 332 is returned by hand to itsposition of FIG. I.

WIRING DIAGRAM AND CONTROLS FOR MACHINE Referring now to FIG. I6, thewiring arrangement of machine 10 includes a main switch indicated at 610of the double pole single throw type which is the off-on switch for themain drive motor 130 and is operated by throw arm 612 of box 162.Suitable connections from current supply lines 614 and 616 are broughtinto receptacle 618 of box 160, which box is suitably grounded. Switch620, which is operated by throw arm 622 of box 160, when closed bringsinto operation motor 148 that operates the fitting applying and wirefeed devices.

The drive motor for the band saw cutting device 32 is operated byplugging into receptacle 624 of box 160, the wiring for the saw motoroperation including suitable step up transformer 626.

When main switch 610 is closed, current flows from switch contact 630through line 632 to main drive motor 130 and thence to suitable motorstarting andreversing relay 634 from which it flows to contact 4 ofsimilar motor starting and reversing relay 636 and thence back to line614.

When the whisker switch 222 is closed to start the roller drive,assuming switch 610 is closed, current flows from contact 640 throughline 642 to switch 222 and thence to roller drive motor 142 through line644 and returns to the other side of the line through motor stopping andstarting relay 646 and line 648 to contact 4 of relay 634 and thenceback through line 635, relay 636, contact 4 and line 637 to line 614.

The circuiting to operate the drive for the band saw drive includesswitch 650, which, as indicated in FIG. 12, is mounted on a suitablesupport 652 and has a switch arm 656 that is spring biased to the closedposition, which it assumes in the lower position of the swing arm 424 toclose the circuit to the step up transformer 626 when the band saw driveis to operate. Current will then flow from the contact 658 of whiskerswitch 222 through switch 650, line switch 660, which has the contacts662 and 664 of switch 386 connected in series with same, which switch386 when closed permits operation of the band saw drive throughenergization of the transformer 626. Switch 386 is opened by switch pin382 carried by the band saw swing arm 332 to shut off the band sawdrive. On movement of the swing arm 424 upwardly to release clamp device30, switch 650 also opens.

Closing of the switch 610 will effect continuous operation of the maindrive motor 130, with gear reducer 136 thus being continuously operatedto actuate the cam assembly 140. Cam assembly 140 rotates at uniformspeed to close and open switches 222, 386 and 650 in the timed sequencerequired to advance conduit strands the length to which the machine isset by the positioning of indicating bar 274, which is followed by theactuation of clamp device 30 and the closing of switch 650 to energizethe band saw drive, which is deenergized by the opening switch 386 thatshuts off the power to the band saw drive, the i'elation of parts beingsuch that the opening of switch 650 is delayed until after switch 386opens by the return of the band saw mechanism swing arm to its elevatedposition.

Operation of the motor 148 for fitting application device 44 and thewire feed device 66, is effected by closing switch 620 whereby currentis supplied to drive motor 148 through line 670 and thence from motor148 through line 672 to relay 636 and line 637 back to line 614. Openingof switch 620 stops operation of motor 148.

When it is desired to operate the wire feed and wire cut off mechanismsof the machine, the control switch device 164 of FIGS. 3 and 17 isemployed involving the switch 580 of box 582, which switch has a switcharm 684 that acts between contacts 686, 688, and 690.

As indicated in FIGS. 16 and 17, outlet 588 and control switch device164 are arranged such that when plug 586 is in socket 588, contact 686of switch 580 is connected with contact Z of socket 588, while thecontact 688 of switch 580 is connected with contact X of socket 588;contact 690 of switch 580 is connected with contact Y of socket 588.

Switch 580 in practice is a self-enclosed, one pole, double throw,momentary contact, center off switch. Switch arm 684 is spring biased toa centered position out of contact with either contacts 686 or 690.

For wire feed using the control switch device 164, when the wire for aseries of conduit lengths has been suitably started between wire feedroller 560 and pressure roller 62 and into the guide tube device 68,switch arm 684 is moved into contact with contact 686 and held there,whereby current flows from line 615 to contact 696 of switch 610, line698, contact 700 of switch 610, line 702 to contact X of socket 588 andfrom contact Z of contact 588 to line 704 that is connected to line 670at contact 621 of switch 620, and from line 670 through motor 148 andback to the other side of the line as if switch 620 were closed. Releaseof the spring bias switch arm 684 moves switch arm 684 from 686 andstops operation of motor 148.

When the wire cutter device is to be operated, switch arm 684 is broughtinto contact with contact 690 of switch 580, whereby current flows fromline 615 through contact X of outlet 588 to and through connector 710 tocontact 630 of switch 610 and thence through line 632, drive motor 130,line 635 and back to the other side of the line to start operation ofmain drive motor 130. Switch 590 and the cam surface 596 its switch arm592 cooperates with are arranged such that after switch arm 684 ofswitch 580 meets contact with its contact 690, switch 590 is closed asufficiently long time to permit cutting device 70 to go through onecycle. Thus, when the circuit provided by switch arm 684 engagingcontacts 690 of switch 580 is broken by normal operation of switch 580,current still may flow from line 615 to contact X of outlet 588 andthence through line 712 to switch 590 and line 714 back to contact 630of switch 610, line 632, main drive motor 130 and back to the other sideof the line through line 637. Completion of the cutting cycle of device70 opens switch 590 to stop operation of the drive motor 130.

Switch 620 is a single pole single throw switch. Switch 590 is anormally closed microswitch while switch 222 is a microswitch withnormally open contacts; switch 650 is a normally closed microswitch.

Transformer 626 is employed in the embodiment illustrated to convertline voltage to 144 voltsto extend blade life of the band saw operatedby cut off mechanism 32. v

The motor starting and reversing relays 634, 636 and 646 areconventionally supplied as part of the motor, but due to their size theyare mounted outside of the motor.

SUMMARY I v It will therefore be seenthat I have provided a method andapparatus that permits the ready processployed in connection withconduit of that type will readily be handled by fitting applying device44.

As previously indicated, one man operating my machine and processingfour conduit strands simultaneously can produce 1,400 to 1,500 conduitlengths cut to the size desired and having their ends equipped with thenecessary end fittings during the course of a days work without strainor fatigue. All guesswork is taken out of cutting of the conduiting andthe application of the end fittings to the conduit ends is substantiallyme chanical in character, the operator needing only to place the fittingin the indicated operating position on the device 44 and then feedingthe end of the conduit against same.

Once the main switch 610 of the machine is turned on, the conduit strandfeeding, clamping, and strand cut off functions are automaticallyperformed in repeating cycles, providing conduiting segments of all thesame length as set by the machine indicator shown in FIG. 10. Once theconduiting lengths start to come through the machine, switch 620 may beclosed to operate motor 148 for driving the device 44, which permits theconduit end fittings to be continuously applied to available conduitends as the conduiting moves through the machine.

The availability of the wire feeding and cut off mechanisms and thecontrols for same make for eacy insertion of wiring within the conduitlengths on a mass production basis.

The specific embodiment of the invention illustrated can be readilyadjusted to cut to size from one to four conduit strands by tying intoplace in the cutting station short conduit sections as needed to fillthe space transversely of the cutting station that will not be needed.Conduit strands to be processed are moved through the remaining space orspaces on either side of the clamp device. Likewise, the machineillustrated can be arranged to process more than four conduit strandssimultaneously by appropriately positioning guide members 292 and 294and providing additional support discs similar to discs 100, 102, 104and 106 to accommodate the additional conduit coils that will benecessary. However, the processing of four strands is considered idealfor the machine illustrated, as one man can be kept busy full timeprocessing the conduit lengths formed by the machine.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explainand illustrate the invention and the invention is not to be limitedthereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, sincethose skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will beable to make modifications and variations therein without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of processing flexible metallic conduit to provide amultiple of the same lengths of same having an end fitting applied toeither end thereof, said method comprising:

forming said conduit lengths by:

simultaneously advancing, from a plurality of rolls of conduit, sectionsof conduit past a cutting station to dispose a predetermined length ofeach conduit section beyond the cutting station,

ceasing movement of said conduit sections and clamping the portionsthereof adjacent the cutting station against movement,

simultaneously cutting all said conduit sections at said station tosever the conduit lengths from the respective conduit sections with acut extending transversely of the conduit lengths,

and applying an end fitting to each conduit length end by:

mechanically rotating through a slip coupling the fitting about itslongitudinal axis in the direction of rotation that complements the turnof the conduit convolutions,

and hand biasing the conduit length end against the rotating fittingthreaded end to permit the rotational movement of the fitting to threadsame into the conduit length end and the slip coupling to slip when thefitting threaded into the conduit length end.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the leading ends of the conduit lengths have said fitting applying stepsapplied thereto as said advancing step is being preformed.

3. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein:

each conduit length, after the fittings have been applied thereto bypracticing said fitting applying steps, has mechanically fed throughsame the wires the conduit length in use is to contain,

and wherein a loop knot is tied in the wiring at each conduit length tomaintain the wiring within the conduit length.

4. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said conduit forming steps are repeated automatically until the conduitrolls are exhausted.

1. The method of processing flexible metallic conduit to provide amultiple of the same lengths of same having an end fitting applied toeither end thereof, said method comprising: forming said conduit lengthsby: simultaneously advancing, from a plurality of rolls of conduit,sections of conduit past a cutting station to dispose a predeterminedlength of each conduit section beyond the cutting station, ceasingmovement of said conduit sections and clamping the portions thereofadjacent the cutting station against movement, simultaneously cuttingall said conduit sections at said station to sever the conduit lengthsfrom the respective conduit sections with a cut extending transverselyof the conduit lengths, and applying an end fitting to each conduitlength end by: mechanically rotating through a slip coupling the fittingabout its longitudinal axis in the direction of rotation thatcomplements the turn of the conduit convolutions, and hand biasing thecoNduit length end against the rotating fitting threaded end to permitthe rotational movement of the fitting to thread same into the conduitlength end and the slip coupling to slip when the fitting threaded intothe conduit length end.
 2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein: theleading ends of the conduit lengths have said fitting applying stepsapplied thereto as said advancing step is being preformed.
 3. The methodset forth in claim 1 wherein: each conduit length, after the fittingshave been applied thereto by practicing said fitting applying steps, hasmechanically fed through same the wires the conduit length in use is tocontain, and wherein a loop knot is tied in the wiring at each conduitlength to maintain the wiring within the conduit length.
 4. The methodset forth in claim 1 wherein: said conduit forming steps are repeatedautomatically until the conduit rolls are exhausted.